Awarded to Sidney Alfred Edward Benns (1901-1985). Obverse: Head of King George V (left) Legend: 'GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP:' Reverse: A Knight on horseback (right) a short sword in his right hand, trampling on the German shield, skull and cross-bones. Legend: '1914-18'. Inscription on edge: 'L.10569 SAE BENNS O.S.3. RN'

Sidney Alfred Edward Benns was born in Acle, Norfolk the son of James Alfred Benns, a carter. He joined the Royal Navy in 1917 and worked as a steward in HMS ‘Alecto’ - a base for H and C Class, submarines and from 1919-1926 in HMS ‘Maidstone’ - the depot for the submarine force at Harwich. Between the wars he was with the Royal Army Medical Corps until 1930, serving at Colchester where he had married Edith Marshall in 1925, after which he worked as a male nurse at St Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup. By then the couple had moved to Woolwich. He was called up in 1943 and served with the Royal Engineers and the Royal Army Medical Corps. After the war he worked as a security officer until his retirement in 1966. He died in Haverhill, Suffolk.